Here’s an itinerary suggestion for four days in Guangzhou packed with culture, ancient and modern history, shopping, nature, and the modern urban front of the city.
Day 1
The first day of the trip is concentrated in the Liwan District, one of the three oldest districts in Guangzhou and finishing up at the most modern, the CBD and the iconic Canton Tower for spectacular nighttime views.
Chen Clan Academy 陈家祠-广东民间工艺博物馆
After lunch set off to Chen Clan Academy. Not only is it a famous Qing dynasty building, one can admire the beautifully decorated and magnificent Lingnan architecture; a museum of folk arts and crafts in Lingnan. There are exhibitions all year round, and there are old folk artists and artists who have special skills.
Time: 0.5-2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Ticket Price: ¥20
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street 上下九商业步行街
For lunch head to Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, enjoy the most traditional and authentic Cantonese cuisine. The so-called “food in Guangzhou, taste in the West Pass”, Shangxiajiu is definitely the concentration of traditional Cantonese style, many old and small restaurants have their own signature food, foreign tourists cannot afford to miss. The shopping are opportunities are many, and it’s a great street to soak up local culture.
Time: 3 hours
Opening hours: open all day – shops are generally open from 10 am to 11 pm.
Litchi Bay 荔枝湾
Litchi Bay is a well-known scenic spot in Guangzhou. A historic area that was home to elites in ancient times it’s a series of crisscrossing rivers surrounded by traditional architecture. The highlights are Liwan Lake Park, Liang Ancestral Hall, Renwei Temple, Wenjing Antique Street, Wen Tower and Longjin Bridge, and also the local specialty foods inc. congee, pickled radish, and chestnut pudding. At Liang Ancestral Gate you can take short river cruises. At night the area is lit with colorful lighting.
Time: 2-3 hours recommended
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Ticket price: free
Xiguan Ancient Mansions 西关大屋
Nearby to Litchi Bay, the Xiguan It is the most authentic ancient residential area in Guangzhou and dates back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The homes were built by wealthy businessmen in the era.
Time: 1 hour recommended
Opening hours: open all day
Huacheng Square (Flower City Square) 花城广场
After visiting the provincial capital, you can walk to Huacheng Square. It is one of the most romantic places in Guangzhou with beautiful sunset vistas, colorful lights at night, views amongst the towering skyscrapers, and views of the Canton Tower. Locals flock here at night to socialize and relax. There are plenty of places for shopping and eating.
Time: 2 hours recommended
Opening hours: open all day – shops from 10 am to 10 pm
Canton Tower 广州塔
At the last stop, it’s a visit to Guangzhou’s landmark building, the Canton Tower. Overlooking the city with amazing nighttime views. Canton Tower also boasts the world’s highest horizontal Ferris wheel (aka Bubble Tram), the 100ft Sky Drop, Engineering Marvel Hall Tour (inside the tech that makes the tower work), Star Observation Deck & Cloud Observation Deck, Spider Walk (glass spiral staircase), 4D and 3D cinema, and Outdoor Plaza with cafes and restaurants with amazing views.
Time: 2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 10:30 pm
Day 2
Shamian Island 沙面岛
In the morning, take a stroll to Shamian Island, which is the most European style in Guangzhou. This was once a concession for England and France. You can enjoy the picturesque buildings like the Bund in Shanghai, and Shamian is also a hot spot for photography.
Time: 3 hours recommended
Opening hours: open all day
Beijing Road Pedestrian Street 北京路千年古道
Head to Beijing Road for shopping and dinner. Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is one of the most prosperous commercial centers in Guangzhou. Apart from shopping, dining, and historical sites such as glass covered reveal of the ancient road that lies beneath today’s commercial road. Beijing Road has become a landmark attraction for Guangzhou tourism.
Time: 2-3 hours recommended
Opening hours: all day – Shops from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a century-old gothic church. It is one of the ten largest Catholic churches in the world. Being hidden in the busy city makes it even more special. Basically, there will be a Mass every day, and it will be divided into Chinese and English.
Time: 0.5 – 1 hours
Opening hours: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm ~ Closed on Mondays
Haizhu Square and Yide Lu 海珠广场
Around here you can find numerous wholesale markets for toys, gifts, and souvenirs. A popular one is One Link International Plaza. If shopping is not your things it might be a great time to take a break and get a massage.
Opening Hours: for markets – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Pearl River Night Tour 珠江夜游
After dinner, the last stop was to experience the night view of Guangzhou – the charm of the Pearl River Night Tour. The Pearl River is the mother river of Guangzhou. Head to Haizhu Square and Tianzi Wharf where you can take the 8.20 pm boat “Bright Mother of Pearl” or the later “Information Times” boat for a two-hour journey.
Time: 2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 6 pm – 11 pm
Ticket price: 48-58 RMB
Day 3
Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King 西汉南越王博物馆
The Nanyue King Tomb Museum is located on the west side of Yuexiu Park. It is the tomb of the second generation of Wang Zhaoxi in the South Vietnamese country during the Western Han Dynasty. It is the largest Han Dynasty painted stone chamber tomb found. The treasures in the collection are the earliest silk and jade clothes in China.
Time: 1-2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 9:00 am – 5.30 pm
Ticket Price: 12 RMB
Zhongshan Memorial Hall (Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall) 中山纪念堂
After visiting the King of Nanyue’s Tomb, proceed to the next destination, Zhongshan Memorial Hall. Zhongshan Memorial Hall is one of the landmark buildings in Guangzhou. It is a monumental building funded and built by the Guangzhou people and overseas Chinese to commemorate Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the country. Not only can you admire the majestic octagonal palace-style architecture, but also the Sun Yat-Sen History Exhibition Hall can be found inside the Memorial Hall to learn about his life story.
Time: 30 min – 1 hr
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Ticket price: ¥ 8
Guangxiao Temple 光孝寺
Guangxiao Temple is the temple with the longest history, the most extensive influence, and the largest scale in Guangzhou. The construction of Guangxiao Temple is meticulous. The main building was built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
Time: 2 hours recommended
Opening hours: 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
Ticket Price: 20 RMB
Temple of the Six Banyan Trees 六榕寺
One of the most important Buddhist Temples in Guangzhou with a history of 1400 years.
Time: 1 – 1.5 hr
Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:20 pm
Ticket Price: 5 RMB and 10 RMB for pagoda entry
Tianhe Road Commercial Area 天河路商圈
At night, you can go shopping and foraging around Tianhe City Square. The restaurants of the Tianhe shopping district mainly revolve around the large shopping malls of Tee Mall, Parc Central, and Grandview Mall. Here, there are restaurants of different tastes. There are Cantonese restaurants that meet the tastes of the old and the broad, as well as Western-style, Japanese-style, and other high-end restaurants.
Opening hours: open all day – shops open from 10 am to 10 pm.
Day 4
Finally climb the Baiyun Mountain, more than 300 meters above sea level, but is already the highest place in Guangzhou. At the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Guangzhou and then finish your tour of Guangzhou.
Baiyun Mountain
Baiyun Mountain is not high, suitable for a young and old to play. It’s one of the cities top scenic spots, and top places to escape the city life. Here you can find several key spots inc. Yuntai Garden in Santailing Park, Sculpture Park in Fei’eling Park, Bird Spring Valley Park, and Luhu Park. There is also a cable car up and down the mountain and a sightseeing bus.
Time: half day
Opening hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Ticket price: 5 RMB and extra depending which attractions you enter.